President Donald Trump is finding an unexpected ally in his effort to boost Hollywood’s film industry: Senator Adam Schiff, known for his past political opposition to Trump. They share a goal to reverse job losses in the sector. Trump aims to introduce incentives to retain film and TV productions, which have been leaving for more lucrative opportunities elsewhere.
The exodus of entertainment jobs from Hollywood has become a significant issue. The Bureau of Labor Statistics reports a loss of 49,000 jobs in the industry since 2022. The decline follows the dual impact of the COVID-19 pandemic and changing industry dynamics due to streaming services.
Senator Schiff expressed his support on social media, urging Congress to pass federal tax incentives. “I am in strong agreement with the President,” Schiff stated. “Congress should immediately take up and pass a federal film tax incentive to bring back these good-paying jobs that we’ve lost to other countries.” He called for bipartisan cooperation to restore America’s film industry.
“There is no incentive to be there, and it is hurting California very badly,” Trump stated. “Federal Tax Incentives could Make our Movie and Television Production Business GREAT AGAIN, perhaps GREATER THAN EVER BEFORE!”
The push for federal incentives comes amidst California’s financial constraints. The state offers a Film & Television Tax Credit Program, which totals $750 million. However, Governor Gavin Newsom imposed a $5 million cap on state corporate tax credits over the next three years. This cap hinders the ability to attract productions back to California. Other regions, such as Georgia and New York, have more attractive tax breaks, amounting to over $1 billion and $800 million respectively.
Outside the U.S., Canada and the United Kingdom provide competitive tax breaks, enticing productions to relocate. Trump acknowledged these challenges on Truth Social after a meeting with actor Jon Voight, who serves as a special ambassador to Hollywood. Trump urged Congress to act quickly, noting the legislative time constraints with upcoming midterm elections and the lame-duck session.
The collaboration between Trump and Schiff highlights a rare political partnership centered on economic recovery. Their combined efforts aim to revitalize Hollywood and restore its standing as a global entertainment powerhouse.
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